Western New York residents all know that it has been abnormally cold and snowy this winter. After freshening up the snow pack Wednesday, it became even clearer that not only is the WNY region well above the typical seasonal snowfall for this date at the Buffalo airport, but Buffalo is ranking very high compared to other major metropolitan centers.

By midnight early Thursday, the seasonal snowfall total had topped 90.6 inches according to the Buffalo National Weather Service. Normal snowfall up to this date is 65.0 inches. January snowfall ended up 17 inches above normal. That was a huge contributing factor in placing this season as Buffalo’s 9th snowiest winters. Weather records go back to 1871. Of course the final standing has yet to be determined since we still have a good month left of this season if you go by the climatological definition of winter, December 1-February 28.

Other large cities are also seeing a very snowy winter. Erie, Pennsylvania takes the “Golden Shovel Award” with almost 104 inches for the season. Other seasonal snowfall totals include: Grand Rapids with 87 inches, Syracuse 78 inches, and Detroit 70 inches. Chicago has received nearly 60 inches, making it the 8th snowiest winter there. Surprisingly, Rochester wasn’t quite as snowy with a mere 56.9 inches and Cleveland bottomed out the list with 54 inches. Even the east coast has done pretty well this winter with Central Park adding up 40 inches and Boston close to 46 inches.

It’s also been a very cold winter. January 2014 wrapped up almost 5 degrees below normal in Buffalo which is very significant statistically.

Snow lovers are rejoicing; and with plenty of time left on the calendar, if a winter is going to be this noteworthy we might as well just shot for the top.

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